-September 23, 2021-
Good morning, happy Thursday,
“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
(Romans 5:3-4).
You can summarize the Christian life in the simple phrase “from trial to triumph.” If we did not experience trials, our faith would not grow. Trials definitely make us stronger and more reliant on the Lord. Pain, trouble, sorrow, and pressure help us to trust the Lord and be victors and overcomers.
Tribulations produce perseverance and patience. The more difficulties we encounter, the more patience and perseverance we gain. James wrote, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (James 1:2-4).
Not only do trials produce patience, they also produce character. The hardest thing to change is our character. The word character is defined as, “The mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.” As our parents raised us, our character developed over time. When we got saved, the Lord began His work in our lives to make us like Jesus. It a slow, painful process, but it yields great results. The old expression from realm of exercise is so true in our walk with the Lord, “No pain, no gain.”
Trials produce perseverance and perseverance produces character, and character produces hope. Hope is a needed and wonderful thing in our lives. Hope helps us look forward to the future, to something better, bigger, and brighter. The child of God looks beyond this present world, beyond the grave, to our future glory with the Lord in heaven. We look forward to the the Lord’s coming with great joy and anticipation.
Peter wrote in 1 Peter 1:6-7, “In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The path to growth and maturity isn’t easy; there is no simplistic way, no short cuts.
God builds His people to be His servants. He employs trials to work out His purposes in our lives. He is not in a rush in making his vessels for honor, fit for the Master’s use. We can all look back at what God has done in our lives and the growth and experience we have gained. Take heart, dear one, God isn’t finished with you yet. You are His special treasure and the best is yet to one.
Have a blessed day growing through trials to spiritual maturity. Let us submit to God’s plan and accept everything in His hand. Stay safe and healthy.
In His grace,
Dean
Dean Allen's Daily Devotional 